The core force combined a French protected cruiser and the Russian armoured cruiser Gerzog Edinburgski with British and Italian battleships. Each participating country's senior admiral on Crete joined a Council of Admirals charged with managing the island's affairs. Italian Vice Admiral Felice Napoleone Canevaro initially held both the squadron command and the council presidency as the senior officer present. French Rear Admiral Édouard Pottier succeeded him when Canevaro left in mid-1898. The arrangement turned a multinational naval command into an improvised governing authority that lasted until December 1898.
Notable Point · 25:34-27:18
The Council of Admirals governs Crete
A multinational naval command evolved into an improvised governing council for Crete.